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Sheriff Court Services P%EPiFp 4 ' GARY C. WHEELER - INDIAN RIVER COUNTY MEMBER FLORIDA SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF NATIONAL SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION 4055 41st AVENUE VERO BEACH, FLORIDA 32960-1806 PHONE 407-569-6700 May 1, 1994 Honorable John Tippin, Chair Board of County Commissioners 1840 25th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Dear Commissioner Tippin: In compliance with Florida State Statues, Chapter 30.49, I hereby submit our 1994-1995 annual budget for Court House Services. As you are aware, for the past two years, a Court House Advisory Committee has met regularly. The committee membership Included Commissioner Ken Macht,. staff representatives of the Board of County Commissioners, the State. Attorney, the Public Defender, the Office of the Cler4c; the Sheriff's Office, the Judicial Staff, and those contract representatives engaged in the construction process. This committee set a goal of providing adequate safety and security for our citizens participating in volatile family and criminal court environments, fbr the movement and processing of prisoners, and for the court house employees of our criminal justice system. The committee examined many different types of personnel solutions to provide these services at minimum costs to the taxpayers. We found that by using sworn personnel, the flexibility In assignment, cross training, and relief factors resulted In a smaller work force to accomplish the committees safety and security goals. Our budget reflects the results of the committee deliberations by recommending an additional seven personnel to our current staff of eight to provide minimum security and bailiff services. This represents a substantial Increase over last year's budget approval. We were recently forced to move an additional deputy position from Law Enforcement to bolster our court house staff to meet heavier work load requirements. That position was not reflected in last years' approved budget figure. As has been the case for the last four years, -there is no cost of living increase Included for our employees. Three employees In our current staff of eight are not eligible for merit raises and their Income has been slowly eroding since 1990. Personnel resources are our,most important asset and they deserve relief from the Commission In this area. I am requesting the Board of County Commissioners to fund a three percent cost of living increase over and above our pay plan to correct the inequities suffered by our employees since 1990. Our employees in the Sheriff's Office and I have very carefully managed our resources this year. Among the three budgets prepared by our agency, this Court House Budget Is the only budget reflecting substantial change. We have prepared this budget In the spirit requested by - the Commission consistent with the collective wisdom of the Court House Committee's goals and requests. Your favorable consideration of my request as submitted, is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, 6111,17G. CJ,64&` Gary C. Wheeler, Sheriff 9 MAY 16 1994 nio 92 F}1Uc 404